swallow hard

Frequency: 8.018.2 per million words

To swallow with difficulty, often because of a strong emotion like fear, nervousness, or sadness.

swallowVERB + ADVERB (related to throat muscle movement/emotion)

Categories:

hard

Examples (10)

  • He had to swallow hard when he saw the bill.
  • She tried to swallow hard to hold back her tears.
  • The unexpected news made him swallow hard.
  • With a hard swallow, he confessed his mistake.
  • She felt her throat tighten and had to swallow hard.
  • The actor had to swallow hard before delivering his lines.
  • He tried to swallow hard to regain his composure.
  • Seeing his defeated expression, she could only swallow hard.
  • The difficult question prompted a hard swallow from the presenter.
  • He had to swallow hard as he realized the gravity of the situation.